Thursday, July 14, 2005
Rice Lake Public Library

The meeting was called to order by 1st Vice Chair, Jason Rae. 22 people in attendance.

Beth Ager read the June 16 meeting minutes, and they were approved as read.

Jason Rae gave the Treasurer's report. The beginning balance was $1,740.55, and after disbursements, the ending balance was $1,769.55. Motion to approve as read; so ordered.

Old Business:
Fundraiser dinner: Toby Paone submitted a report, summarized by the Vice Chair, on organizing a fundraiser dinner for the Barron Democrats. Senator Russ Feingold has agreed to speak on September 16th, and now a venue must be chosen. After considering various options, members decided on Lehman's Supper Club. Motion seconded and approved.

John Banks suggested that we invite media coverage by giving tickets to the local press.

Fair: Betty Vogel circulated the sign-up sheet for staffing the booth. Jerry Schlei asked for volunteers before the fair to work on signs. Jason Rae reports that Rep. Mary Hubler has purchased 3 sets of United States and Wisconsin flags, certified to have been flown over the State Capitol, to be given as door prizes. Linda Thompson motioned to reimburse Mary Hubler $69.00 for the cost of the flags. Motion seconded and approved.

Jerry Schlei reported that live music might be available for the booth and urged party members to sign up for fair booth duty; it is a prime opportunity to express our Democratic values.

John Banks suggested raffling off flagpoles as a fundraising activity showcasing our patriotism. Marlene Raether and Betty Vogel noted that raffles have not traditionally done well. It was pointed out that a raffle might do well at the September 16th fundraiser.

Dr. Bannister thanked the party for its support with the health care resolution and remarked that he is retooling the message in book form.

Johnson Truck Bodies strike: Jason Rae reported that Chairman Kippenhan wanted to remind us of the longstanding Democratic tradition to support labor unions in their goals. Dar Ishmael asked if the party had any prepared statements of union support that could be displayed at the fair. A discussion of union matters ensued, with members recognizing that the local strike is just one small front of an insidious, concerted effort to weaken unions everywhere, and that we need to educate ourselves about unions.

New Business:
Gaylord Nelson's death: Linda Thompson made a motion to donate $50.00 to one of the Gaylord Nelson memorial funds. Motion seconded and passed.

John Banks reported that, in an effort to find out how one could donate money to defeat Dave Zien (Wis. SD 23) and James Sensenbrenner (WI-5), he e-mailed the DPW web site, but received no answer.

Sunshine report: Edith Olson sent a card to party member Vi Howard, who had been ill. The Hubler family sent thanks for the party's condolences on the death of Mary's father, Bob Hubler.

Jason Rae reported on his meeting in Madison with DNC Chairman Howard Dean and other DPW and DNC officials. Dean's advance team expected 100 to come listen to Dean's speech, but 700 showed up. The DNC will be funding two Democratic staffers for Wisconsin for 2006. They will come from within Wisconsin and one will possibly be stationed in the Eau Claire area, to better serve rural needs. Another professional staffer will provide outreach to such potential Democratic communities as the Hmong and Somali. The DNC will also be holding 6 3-hour trainings as 2006 approaches. A few of these sessions may be held in our region of the state.

Dean is very sanguine about the prospects for Democratic gains in 2006 and senses a lot of energy.

Food pantry: July's offering goes to help the Johnson Truck Body strikers, by unanimous consent.

Next month: we will be meeting Thursday, August 18th, at 7:00 p.m. at the courthouse auditorium in Barron.

8:35: John Banks made a motion to adjourn. Seconded and approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Lizbeth Ager, Secretary